Over 30 dead, 50 injured as terror hits Hyderabad

Two blasts occur minutes apart at an amusement park and a popular eating joint, reports Ashok Das.

Two explosions minutes apart at an amusement park and a popular eating joint in Hyderabad on Saturday evening killed more than 30 people and wounded up to 50. The state government and the Centre blamed terrorists for the blasts.

Nine people died when an explosion ripped through a packed open-air auditorium in Lumbini Park, a popular tourist site near Hussain Sagar lake, where a laser show was on, police officials said. The powerful blast flung bodies into the air, eyewitnesses said. Limbs, blood, clothes and shoes were strewn around in the auditorium.

Five minutes later, 6 kilometres away, another blast took place near Gokul Chats, a popular eatery in Kothi area, killing more than 20.

<b1>Both the explosions took place in the heavy-security central zone area of Hyderabad City. While the park is situated opposite the State secretariat, the Kothi area is the city’s business and commercial hub.

Explosives experts visited the sites and collected samples. A senior police official said: “As per our preliminary assessment, high-intensity explosives triggered by remote-control devices such as cellphone were used.” No terrorist organisation has claimed responsibility yet.

Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy told reporters: “It is definitely a terrorist attack. It has claimed 30 lives. We are going into the details.” He appealed to the people to remain calm. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condemned the blasts. Union Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal said the act was the handiwork of some terrorist group. The Centre has asked the state government for a report.